Fullery, and why the ancient Italians (aka Romans) were a nasty, disgusting bunch

[1srelluc]

A team of archeaologists have recently excavated a formerly well-to-do neighborhood in Pompeii. During the excavation, they uncovered a "fullery", which I'd never heard of before.

A fullery is where slaves washed the clothing of upper-class Pompeiians. So far so good, right? Not so fast.

What did they use to wash the clothes? STALE URINE from people and animals. They put the clothes in a stone tank, added the STALE URINE, and agitated the clothes with their bare feet. Then they squeezed out the STALE URINE, presumably did a rinse with clean water, and hung the clothes out to dry.

Turns out the STALE URINE was collected in jars throughout the city where passersby were encouraged to make, um, deposits. (One wonders how the STALE URINE was collected from animals, but I'm not curious enough to find out.) The STALE URINE was hauled to the fullery for use as a laundry detergent. I'm assuming the ammonia was the active ingredient, but again, I'm not curious enough to find out.

Also turns out the guy who owned the fullery was a wealthy dude, and he lived directly over the fullery. He also owned a bakery immediately adjacent to the fullery where the smell of baking bread could meld with the smell of STALE URINE. Yum!

The Fullonica of Stephanus in Pompeii

The Follonica of Stephanus (also called Fullery of Stephanus) is one of the most important and complete laundries found in Pompeii where manufactured cloth was washed and stain removed. Stephanus' laundry...

www.worldhistory.org

 

[1srelluc]

A team of archeaologists have recently excavated a formerly well-to-do neighborhood in Pompeii. During the excavation, they uncovered a "fullery", which I'd never heard of before.

A fullery is where slaves washed the clothing of upper-class Pompeiians. So far so good, right? Not so fast, GD. What did they use to wash the clothes? STALE URINE from people and animals. They put the clothes in a stone tank, added the STALE URINE, and agitated the clothes with their bare feet. Then they squeezed out the STALE URINE, presumably did a rinse with clean water, and hung the clothes out to dry.

Turns out the STALE URINE was collected in jars throughout the city where passersby were encouraged to make, um, deposits. (One wonders how the STALE URINE was collected from animals, but I'm not curious enough to find out.) The STALE URINE was hauled to the fullery for use as a laundry detergent. I'm assuming the ammonia was the active ingredient, but again, I'm not curious enough to find out.

Also turns out the guy who owned the fullery was a wealthy dude, and he lived directly over the fullery. He also owned a bakery immediately adjacent to the fullery where the smell of baking bread could meld with the smell of STALE URINE. Yum!

The Fullonica of Stephanus in Pompeii

The Follonica of Stephanus (also called Fullery of Stephanus) is one of the most important and complete laundries found in Pompeii where manufactured cloth was washed and stain removed. Stephanus' laundry...

www.worldhistory.org

Centurion:

Biggus Dickius you smell of piss.

Biggus:

Thank you!

 

[Dont Taz Me Bro]

All of the ancient peoples were disgusting by today's standards.

 

[Woodznutz]

The Bible mentions "fullers' soap" in several places. It was made from certain alkaline plants and used to clean and whiten cloth. It was also a metaphor for repentance and righteousness.

 

[1srelluc]

All of the ancient peoples were disgusting by today's standards.

Roman:

Slave, you will be assigned to the Fullery and wade in clothes soaked with piss.

Briton Slave:

Bugger that mate! Just give me a sword and let me take my chances in the arena.

 

[EvilCat Breath]

Are you just learning this now? Today?

 

[1srelluc]

Are you just learning this now? Today?

Actually learned of it yesterday but:

Let's just say that's a part of history I hope I'm not doomed to repeat.

 

[Zincwarrior]

Squires used same to clean armor. Uretic acid is a thing.

 

[EvilCat Breath]

Urine used to be used to treat toenail fungus. In fact, the urea in urine did treat many skin conditions. Urea still does, to this very day. It's just made in a laboratory. Otherwise, no difference.

 

[odanny]

You don't even want to know about the communal brush used to wipe in public toilets.

 

[braalian]

in medieval times and even later, physicians would taste their patients’ urine to see if if it tasted sweet to determine if they had diabetes

 

[1srelluc]

You don't even want to know about the communal brush used to wipe in public toilets.

I think is was a sponge on a stick.